Cannon ramming device



Feb- 11, 1964 .1.13. LoRlMER ETAL 3,120,785

CANNON RAMMING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 5, 1962 Feb. 11., 1964 J, D, LORlMER El-AL 3,120,785

CANNON RAMMING DEVICE Filed Jan. 5, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent Oce 3,126,7@ Patented Feb. Il, i964 3,126,785 CANNUN RAIWVIING DEVICE .lohn D. Lorimer, Birmingham, John F. Schach, St. Clair Shores, and Richard W. Kucharski, Warren, Mich., assignors to Cadillac Gage Company, Roseviile, Mich. Fiied Ian. 5, 1952, Ser. No. 164,540 5 Claims. (Cl. 89-47) This invention relates to cannon ramming devices and more particularly to an apparatus for ramrning a round of ammunition into the bore of a cannon with a force sufficient to effectuate proper penetration of the substantially soft rotating band girthing the ammunition into the beginning of the rifling of the cannon bore.

Power ramming devices have been heretofore designed and used to replace hand ramming of ammunition but have been subject to disadvantages and inconveniences that are overcome bythe present invention.

For example, recoil operated ramming devices found in the prior art require that the ramming element or lug be operated by means of a spring which is cocked, or by means of a fluid which is pressurized by the recoil action of the cannon while firing a preceding round. This necessitates hand ramming of the first round or an auxiliary device for cooking the spring or pressurizing the fluid previously to shooting the rst round.

Other prior art ramming devices consist of a chain wound around a drum and unwound at great speed by electric or hydraulic power, the ramming lug being fastened to the free end of the chain. Impact stresses are important and may be damaging to the parts of the ramming device, the parts of the cannon or the ammunition.

The above mentioned ramming devices have often the common disadvantage of guiding and propelling the ammunition for only part of its travel into the cannon breech chamber, the ammunition coasting the rest of the way under the iniiuence of its own momentum. The eifect of the ramrning device is consequently erratic and it may happen that the ammunition is not properly seated in relation to the beginning of the rifling of the cannon bore, with the accompanying result of variable and erratic range of shooting.

A ramming lug mounted upon the end of a rod actuated by a telescopic hydraulic cylinder provides continuous ramrning force upon the ammunition until it is properly seated, but telescopic cyiinders are cumbersome and heavy, they have relatively high inertia and they present many leakage problems difficult to solve.

The present invention contemplates providing a device which eifectuates the ramrning operation by uid under pressure, such fluid being often available in combat land vehicles or sea-going vehicles. The apparatus is normally stowed folded out of the way when not required, and it is easily and effortlessly placedin position for loading of the ammunition into the cannon breech affording a ramp for manual sliding translation of the ammunition to a position where it can be power rammed for proper seating in the cannon bore riiiing.

One object of the invention, therefore, is to provide a combination loading ramp and ramming device for cannon ammunition.

Another object of the invention is to provide a loading and ramming apparatus which is neatly and securedly folded out of the way when not in use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a power ramming device using hydraulic power for the ramming operation.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a power ramming device driving the ammunition continuously and steadily until its rotating band or obturator is properly seated into the bore of the cannon and positively engaging the rifling, providing a leakproof seal therewith.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a ramming device that can easily and effortlessly be folded away after the cannon has been loaded and previously to the closing of the breech before firing.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a loading and ramming device for cannon that is foolproof and sturdy and which imposes moderate stresses upon the equipment with which it is associated.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the description and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of the cannon rarnming device of the invention shown in a folded position;

FIGURE 2 is a side View of the device of FIGURE l shown extended in position for loading of the ammunition into the cannon;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the same device as shown in the same position as in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevation view of the same device shown in the position it occupies preparatory to the ramming operation;

FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of the same device shown in the position of FIGURE 4; and

FIGURE 6 is a diagrammatical representation of the ramming cylinder-piston assembly of the invention, with the appropriate hydraulic and electric controls therefor.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to FIGURE 1 thereof, numeral 10 represents a support or any fixed member bearing the cannon ramming device of the invention. A bracket member l2 is fastened to the support l@ and has two projecting lugs 14 and 16 supporting a T-shaped member IS pivotally mounted upon the lugs 14--16 by means of a pin or the like 2d.

The T-shaped member I8 has a sleeve element 22 disposed at a slight angle with a perpendicular to the axis of pin 20 and upon which is mounted a tubular frame member 24 by means of a rotary joint 26 enabling the tubular frame member 24 to be rotatable about its axis.

The opposite end of tubular frame member 24 carries a plate 27 upon which is welded or otherwise fastened a lug 29. Two tubular guide rail members 3d and 32 maintained substantially in parallel relationship by means of piate-strap members 34 and 36 (FIGURE 3) are hingedly connected to the tubular frame member 24 by means of two plates 28--28 and a pin 46 passing through an appropriate hole in lug 29. This hinged connection between the tubular frame member 24 and the guide members Titi- 32 assembly enables the apparatus to be folded as shown in FIGURE l, when not in use, or to be extended in the operative position of FIGURES 2-5.

A counterbalancing cable 38 has one of its ends hing edly mounted upon the bracket member 12 by means of a clevis-pin assembly 4@ and a lug 42 fastened or welded to the bracket member l2. The other end of the cable 3S is Wound around a pulley 44 (FIGURES 2, 3 and 5) which is rigidly fastened to the pin 46 which is in turn rigidly fastened to the hinged connection plates 28-28. In this way the weight of the apparatus is counterbalanced by the moment induced by the weight of the guide members Sti-32 assembly, and the apparatus can be folded to the position of FIGURE 1 or unfolded to the position of FIGURES 2-5, manually and effortlessly.

' The apparatus is held in a folded position when not in use and is locked in that position by means of a latch 48. When lit is desired to unfold the apparatus to load the ammunition into the cannon bore, the latch 48 is released and the apparatus is unfolded until the ends of the tubular guide rail members Sti- 32 extend Within the breech chamber 5d of the cannon 52 (FIGURE 2), the end of member Sti being supported by means of the cam element 31. In this position a latch mechanism 49 holds the `(hinged connection 23 locked. The ammunition 55 is loaded by being manually slid along the guide rail members Sil-32 until the ammunition is partially introduced into the bore 54 of the cannon.

The apparatus is then rotated around its axis, such rotation being permitted by the joint 26, until the guide rail member 3@ occupies the position shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, still resting in the the inside wall of the breech chamber by means of the cam member 31. 'Ilhe apparatus is locked in this position by means of a handle 56 actuating a latching mechanism (not shown) immobilizing the tubular frame member 24 in relation to the sleeve element 22 of T-shaped member 18. Cam member 3l is shaped in such a way as to properly position the ends of the guide rail members both during loading of the ammunition and after rotation of the apparatus preparatory to the ramming operation.

The tubular guide rail member 32 carries a ramming bracket 59 supported by a ramming lug 5S mounted on a rod 60 slidable through the end of the tubular guide rail 32. As shown in more detail in FIGURE 6 the rod dit has an integral double-acting piston element 62 slidably disposed within a bore 64 extent within the tubular guide rail member 32 and closed at both ends by end caps 66 and 68. End cap 68 forms with the bore 64 a cylinder chamber 70 disposed on one side of the piston 62, and a cylinder chamber 72 is disposed within the bore 64 on the other side of the piston 62. Cylinder chamber 70 and cylinder chamber 72 are placed in communication respectively by means of a pipe 74 and a pipe 76 with the interior of a valve body 78. A uid pressure inlet Sil and a fluid drain outlet 82 are also connected to the valve body 78. Within the Valve body 78 is disposed a slidable spool member 84 presenting lands 86, 38 and 90. A plunger member 92, integral with the spool member 84, is capable of slidably actuating the spool member Slt when an electric coil 94 surrounding the plunger member 92 is energized. The spool member 84 normally occupies the position indicated in FIGURE 6 under the action of a spring 95. In this position the pressure inlet S is connected to the pipe 76 by way of a passageway 97 and the pipe 74 is connected to the drain outlet 82 by way of a bypass channel 96. Fluid under pressure is therefore introduced into cylinder chamber 72 forcing the piston 62 to the position indicated in FIGURE 6, consequently maintaining the ramming lug 58 carried by the rod 6i) in a retracted position.

When it is ydesired to operate the ramming lug 58, the coil 94 is activated by operating the push button 98 which activates the coil by placing it under the potential of a battery 100, if interlock switches 102 and 104 are also closed. Interlock switch 102 is part of the locking mechanism actuated by the handle 56 and is in a closed position only when the latching mechanism operated by the handle 56 holds the apparatus in the position of FIG- URES 4 5. Interlock switch 104 'is automatically closed when the cannon is in a proper loading and ramming position, thus preventing operation of the device until it is actually safe to do so. When the plunger member 92 is moved to the right of the position shown in FIGURE 6, it displaces the valve spool member 84 also to the right, which in turn causes the new position occupied by the lands $6-90 to place chamber 70 in communication with fluid pressure inlet Si) and chamber 72 in communication with drain outlet 82, thereby forcing the double-acting piston element 62 and the rod 6i) to the left and consequently causing the ramming lug 58 to ram the ammunition into the cannon bore 54. The ramming bracket 59 fastened to the ramming lug distributes the ramming action substantially along a diameter on the back of the ammunition in order to minimize tilting or rocking of the ammunition while it is rammed into the ring of the cannon. The substantially soft rotating band or obtura- Itor of the .ammunition is caused to engage the beginning of the rifling in the cannon bore, thereby effecting a gas proof seal.

After the cannon has been loaded and the ammunition rammed, push-button 98 is released, de-energizing coil 94, allowing the valve spool member to return to the position indicated in FIGURE 6, thereby retracting the piston-rodramming lug assembly. Lever 56 is actuated to unlock the apparatus from its ramming position and to permit rotating it to the position indicated in FIGURES 2-3. Latch 49 is then actuated and the apparatus is folded to its storage position of FIGURE l.

The uid actuating the double-acting piston is led to the appropriate chambers, 70 or 72 by means of the pipes or conduits 74 and 76 (FIGURES l, 2 and 6) as hereinbefore explained. Because of the hinged connection between the two portions of the apparatus, pipes 74 and 76 lead into passageways in lug 29 that carry the iiuid to two channels in pin 46 via two rotary joints (not shown). From the two channels in pin 46 the fluid is led to pipes (not shown) said along tubular guide elements EEO-32 or inside of tubular element 3b. Pipe 76 corresponds to pipe 76 `and is used to transfer iiuid in and out of chamber 72. The valve body 7f3 is actually mounted in the interior of tubular frame member 24 and duid pressure inlet 8d and drain outlet S2 are not shown in FIGURES 1-5 for the sake of simplifying the drawings.

What is claimed as new is:

l. In an ammunition loading and ramming apparatus for a cannon, said apparatus being normally in a folded away position when not in use:

a main frame comprising a iirst portion and a second portion;

a stationary bracket pivotally supporting said main frame on one end of said rst portion;

means counterbalancing the weight of said main frame for effortless folding and unfolding thereof;

a hinge between said lirst portion and said second portion adapted to lock when said first portion is unfolded and substantially aligned with said second portion;

said first portion comprising two substantially parallel cylindrical rail members affording a ramp for manual loading of a round of ammunition until said round is partially engaged as far as it will go into the bore of said cannon;

one of said cylindrical rail members forming a bore disposed therein and closed at both ends;

a double-acting piston disposed in said bore;

a rod element fastened to said piston and slidable through one end of said bore;

a ramming lug carried by said rod element;

means for partially axially rotating said main frame to bring said ramming lug in a predetermined position in relation to said round;

means for introducing iiuid under pressure to one side of said double-acting piston to forcibly displace said ramming lug for ramming said round into the bore of said cannon;

interlock means preventing actuating of said ramming lug unless said main frame is properly rotated and the cannon is in a proper position for ramming;

and means for admitting uid under pressure to the other side of said double-acting piston whilst eX- hausting iiuid from the iirst side of said double acting piston to cause said ramming lug to be retracted after completion of the ramming operation.

2. The apparatus of claim l wherein the means for introducing fluid alternately to either side of said doubleacting piston whilst fluid is exhausted from the other side of said double-acting piston comprises:

a solenoid-actuated Valve forming a spool member capable of normally occupying a first position causing iiuid under pressure to be introduced into a first chamber to displace said double-acting piston to a position maintaining said ramming lug retracted, said irst position of said spool member being attained by spring bias means applied to said spool member; said spool member being displaceable to a second position causing fluid under pressure to be introduced and the other end of said first portion for foldable jointing therebetween;

counterbalancing means supporting the Weight of said main frame and assisting folding and unfolding thereinto a second chamber on the side of said double- 5 or", said irst and second portions being substantially acting piston that displaces said piston in a direction aligned when said frame is unfolded; that forces said ramming lug to ram said round of means comprised in said second portion for supporting ammunition into the riiling of said cannon whilst and guiding said round for manual loading as far as fluid is exhausted from said rst chamber; said round will go into the bore of said cannon; and said spool member being displaced to said second 10 said last mentioned means comprising two substantially position against said spring bias means by activating parallel guide members, one of which carries rama solenoid acting upon a plunger integral with said ming means on the end thereof; spool member. means for partial axial rotation of said main frame for 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein: presenting said ramming means behind said round; said solenoid is activated by a switch normally isolating and means for reciprocating said ramming means by said solenoid from a source of electric power; iuid pressure for ramming said round to a proper and said switch is placed in series with a rst interlock seating into the riding of said cannon and for retractswitch closed only when said cannon is in a predeing said ramming means after the ramming operation termined loading position and a second interlock is effected. switch closed only when said ammunition loading 5- The apparatus 0f Claim 4 further Comprising inferand ramming apparatus is in a predetermined ramlock safety means preventing actuating said ramming ming position. means unless the cannon is in the proper elevation and 4. Apparatus for loading a round of ammunition into said main frame is properly rotated to the ramming posithe bore of a cannon and for ramming said round for tiOIlengagement into the riling of the bore of said cannon, Said apparatus comprising: References Cited in the tile of this patent a foldable main frame consisting of a rst portion and UNITED STATES PATENTS a second portion; stationary bracket means pivotally supporting one end 1304583 Mcclam May 27 1949 of said rst portion; FOREIGN PATENTS hinged connection means between said second portion 519,579 France jam 27, 1921 

1. IN AN AMMUNITION LOADING AND RAMMING APPARATUS FOR A CANNON, SAID APPARATUS BEING NORMALLY IN A FOLDED AWAY POSITION WHEN NOT IN USE: A MAIN FRAME COMPRISING A FIRST PORTION AND A SECOND PORTION; A STATIONARY BRACKET PIVOTALLY SUPPORTING SAID MAIN FRAME ON ONE END OF SAID FIRST PORTION; MEANS COUNTERBALANCING THE WEIGHT OF SAID MAIN FRAME FOR EFFORTLESS FOLDING AND UNFOLDING THEREOF; A HINGE BETWEEN SAID FIRST PORTION AND SAID SECOND PORTION ADAPTED TO LOCK WHEN SAID FIRST PORTION IS UNFOLDED AND SUBSTANTIALLY ALIGNED WITH SAID SECOND PORTION; SAID FIRST PORTION COMPRISING TWO SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL CYLINDRICAL RAIL MEMBERS AFFORDING A RAMP FOR MANUAL LOADING OF A ROUND OF AMMUNITION UNTIL SAID ROUND IS PARTIALLY ENGAGED AS FAR AS IT WILL GO INTO THE BORE OF SAID CANNON; ONE OF SAID CYLINDRICAL RAIL MEMBERS FORMING A BORE DISPOSED THEREIN AND CLOSED AT BOTH ENDS; A DOUBLE-ACTING PISTON DISPOSED IN SAID BORE; A ROD ELEMENT FASTENED TO SAID PISTON AND SLIDABLE THROUGH ONE END OF SAID BORE; A RAMMING LUG CARRIED BY SAID ROD ELEMENT; MEANS FOR PARTIALLY AXIALLY ROTATING SAID MAIN FRAME TO BRING SAID RAMMING LUG IN A PREDETERMINED POSITION IN RELATION TO SAID ROUND; MEANS FOR INTRODUCING FLUID UNDER PRESSURE TO ONE SIDE OF SAID DOUBLE-ACTING PISTON TO FORCIBLY DISPLACE SAID RAMMING LUG FOR RAMMING SAID ROUND INTO THE BORE OF SAID CANNON; INTERLOCK MEANS PREVENTING ACTUATING OF SAID RAMMING LUG UNLESS SAID MAIN FRAME IS PROPERLY ROTATED AND THE CANNON IS IN A PROPER POSITION FOR RAMMING; AND MEANS FOR ADMITTING FLUID UNDER PRESSURE TO THE OTHER SIDE OF SAID DOUBLE-ACTING PISTON WHILST EXHAUSTING FLUID FROM THE FIRST SIDE OF SAID DOUBLE ACTING PISTON TO CAUSE SAID RAMMING LUG TO BE RETRACTED AFTER COMPLETION OF THE RAMMING OPERATION. 